Takeout Today
Our Takeout Today program supplements the City’s food security network by providing free and immediate, same-day food support for any San Franciscan in need of a meal.
This pilot program is intended to provide an urgent hot meal to SF Residents who are not sure how they'll get their next meal. For individuals experiencing chronic food insecurity, unable to travel to pick up a meal, or in need of support to feed their family, please visit this site for additional resources.
For those with an immediate need, please send a text message to request a meal and pick up the meal from a local restaurant. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about Takeout Today or the restaurants participating in the program, call our Call Center at (415) 480-1260. Please do not call the restaurants directly.
Takeout Today is a limited program that is quickly evolving to meet the needs of the community. Meals for this program may not be available during a participating restaurant’s regular hours due to fluctuating capacity and demand. We are working to ensure that people who need urgent meals are able to access this program. Meals will be limited to a capped number per individual to ensure all people who need an urgent meal are able to access the program.
Through our Takeout Today program, we partner with small businesses, long-serving community-based organizations and City agencies to provide income for small businesses and meals for neighbors in need.
The program was launched in Bayview-Hunter’s Point in August 2021, with the current restaurant partners listed below. Takeout Today is funded by the City of San Francisco’s Human Services Agency.
Bayview, Hunter’s Point Restaurant Partners:
City Lunch
Mon-Fri 6am-3pm
Soo Fong
Mon-Fri 10:30am-8:30pm
Sat-Sun: 11am-830pm
La Laguna
Mon-Fri: 9am-4pm
Sunday Gather
Wed-Mon: 11am-5pm
Tato
Tues-Sat: 11am-4pm
Radio Africa Kitchen
Tues-Fri: 11:30am-2:30pm
Excelsior Restaurant Partners:
B&W Kitchen
Tues-Sun: 4pm-9pm
Café Guatemalteco
Mon-Sun: 7am-9pm
Hong Kong BBQ
Mon-Sun: 11am-6pm
Pizza Joint & Grill
Mon-Sat: 11am-3am
Merced Heights Restaurant Partners:
Fang Yuan
Tues-Sun: 11am-8pm
Yama Sushi
Mon-Sun: 11am-5pm
94112 (Oceanview / Ingleside) Restaurant Partners:
Alternative Resources
This program is only intended for urgent meal needs, and not a regular source of food. For those experiencing chronic food insecurity, we encourage you to explore more sustainable options.
For seniors in need of meal support: contact the Dept. of Disability & Aging Services at (415) 355-6700
For daily free meals for all:
St. Anthony’s
Free pre-packaged to-go meals:
1 meal per person
Pick-up at 45 Jones St (and Golden Gate Ave)
Every day 10:00 am to 11:45 am for seniors 60+ and families with children
11:30 am to 1:30 pm for all
Glide
330 Ellis Street; 415-674-6040
Free hot meals:
In takeout containers
3 times a day during the week
Breakfast every day, 8:00 am to 9:00 am
Lunch Monday to Friday, 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Dinner Monday to Friday, 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Bagged meal given after breakfast on Saturday and Sunday
Mother Brown’s Kitchen
2111 Jennings Street; 415-671-1100
To go meals:
Breakfast Monday to Friday, 7:30 am
Dinner 4:30 pm
Program Details
Takeout Today is an innovative texting-based meal service program that aims to understand and provide immediate solutions for food-insecure residents across the diverse landscape of San Francisco. SF New Deal is working in partnership with the City of San Francisco’s Human Services Agency (HSA) to supplement the City’s food security network by providing immediate, same-day food support for San Franciscans in need.
This pilot program provides low-barrier access to to-go meals from local restaurants. Anyone can send a text message to request a meal and subsequently pick up the meal from a participating restaurant within participating neighborhoods. Restaurant availability will vary depending on location and time of day, but meal recipients can expect a high-quality and wide variety of culturally competent options from local restaurants.
The Meals
Participating restaurants will provide at least five menu items specifically for Takeout Today. You will not be able to select a meal from their full menu. All meals are required to be 14-16 ounces in total weight, composed of the following: 6 oz. protein, 4 oz. starch or grain, and 4 oz. vegetables.
Special Accommodation Requirements
At least one menu item at all participating restaurants can be adjusted to fit any of the following dietary requirements:
Mechanical Soft for those with dental issues (i.e. very easy to chew, see attachment)
Diabetic (see attachment)
Allergic to: Eggs, Lactose, Gluten, etc.
Low salt
Vegetarian
Vegan
Religious Accommodations (in relation to ingredients folks can and cannot eat. Certified Kosher not required)
Procedure
Once you text “Meal” to (415) 287-1024 and confirm your language, neighborhood, and restaurant, you and the restaurant will receive a confirmation code. Go to the restaurant and place your order from the Takeout Today menu. You will provide the confirmation code, and the restaurant will prepare your to-go order.
Anonymity
Takeout Today will collect your phone number and selected language for the duration of this pilot solely for the Program, but will not record or track personal information (i.e. name, address).
Feedback
We are committed to ensuring the services provided meet client expectations and collect feedback to improve services and experiences. The feedback will also be used to understand the reception of the program pilot to design future solutions.
Approximately 1 hour after the restaurant confirms that you have received your meal, you will be sent a digital survey via text. If you prefer to give feedback in a non-digital format, please ask for a quarter sheet survey from the restaurant when picking up your meal.
Your participation in a follow-up survey is greatly appreciated, but not required. Your answers will be anonymous and will not impact your ability to participate in Takeout Today, or any other SF New Deal programs. Responses will be used to better understand the nature of food insecurity in San Francisco and to judge this program’s effectiveness in addressing ongoing needs.
Additionally, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns about Takeout Today, call our Call Center at (415) 480-1260